‘Culture of Rudeness’: Attorney for United Passenger Dragged Off Plane Wants to Battle Airline Bullying

69-Year Old Doctor Suffered Concussion, Broken Nose, and Lost Two Teeth Family Lawyer Says

The attorney for Dr. David Dao, the Kentucky man who was forcibly removed from an airplane to make room for employees, says the airline industry has a “culture of rudeness.” Dao, according to attorney Thomas Demetrio, suffered “a significant concussion,” a broken nose, and lost two teeth when security agents, called by the airline to remove their passenger, was dragged on the cabin floor and off the plane. 

Dao’s daughter spoke first, thanking the American people for their support, saying, “What happened to my dad should’ve never happened,” and expressing that their family was “horrified.”

But Demetrio, in the family’s first public appearance since the assault, says that Dr. Dao “said that being dragged down the aisle was more horrifying and harrowing than what he experienced in leaving Vietnam.”

Demetrio’s press conference late Thursday seemed focused not on the incident, but on how all airlines he said treat their passengers.

“For a long time, airlines, United in particular, have bullied us,” Demetrio told reporters. “They have treated us less than maybe we deserve. I’ve concluded that based upon hundreds of tales of woe, of mistreatment, by United, is that, here’s what we want as a society. We want fairness in how people treat us. We want respect and we want dignity.”

“I think the whole culture has to change,” he said.

He said so many Americans feel they are treated rudely by airline personnel and suggested most who fly have had terrible experiences. “There is a culture of rudeness on airlines,” he told reporters. “I think what happened to Dr. Dao could have happened to anyone.”

“We’re going to be vocal about the whole subject of what we, as a society, say passengers are entitled to,” Demetrio said in conclusion. “Are we going to continue to be treated like cattle?”

“If you’re going to eject a passenger, under no circumstances can it be done with unreasonable force or violence,” Demetrio added. “That’s the law.”

The Chicago attorney said that while he does not believe they will file a class-action lawsuit, any suit they do file will be only after they have completed their due diligence, suggesting a lengthy battle ahead. He also noted he opposes President Donald Trump’s deregulation efforts.